Herat, Afghanistan
Zahra (20) set fire to herself four years before this photo was taken.
Forced marriage, domestic violence, poverty, and lack of access to education are said to be among leading reasons for self-immolation. Conservative laws and traditions in Afghanistan place women in a subordinate position. Some women find that setting themselves alight—as a form of protest, or in attempted suicide—is the only option that seems open to them.
The people of Afghanistan have had to deal with conflict and military occupation for much of the past 50 years. Conflict and long-term instability in Afghanistan have led to personal trauma, and severe economic and infrastructural damage. Foreign aid has helped support various initiatives to improve infrastructure and education, but as occupation forces withdraw and Western economies face their own difficulties, funds to NGOs are being cut.

Getty Images

Herat, Afghanistan
Zahra (20) set fire to herself four years before this photo was taken.
Forced marriage, domestic violence, poverty, and lack of access to education are said to be among leading reasons for self-immolation. Conservative laws and traditions in Afghanistan place women in a subordinate position. Some women find that setting themselves alight—as a form of protest, or in attempted suicide—is the only option that seems open to them.
The people of Afghanistan have had to deal with conflict and military occupation for much of the past 50 years. Conflict and long-term instability in Afghanistan have led to personal trauma, and severe economic and infrastructural damage. Foreign aid has helped support various initiatives to improve infrastructure and education, but as occupation forces withdraw and Western economies face their own difficulties, funds to NGOs are being cut.

Ghondouz, Afghanistan
A member of the Taliban shields his face from the photographer.
The people of Afghanistan have had to deal with conflict and military occupation for much of the past 50 years. Conflict and long-term instability in Afghanistan have led to personal trauma, and severe economic and infrastructural damage. Foreign aid has helped support various initiatives to improve infrastructure and education, but as occupation forces withdraw and Western economies face their own difficulties, funds to NGOs are being cut.

Getty Images

Ghondouz, Afghanistan
A member of the Taliban shields his face from the photographer.
The people of Afghanistan have had to deal with conflict and military occupation for much of the past 50 years. Conflict and long-term instability in Afghanistan have led to personal trauma, and severe economic and infrastructural damage. Foreign aid has helped support various initiatives to improve infrastructure and education, but as occupation forces withdraw and Western economies face their own difficulties, funds to NGOs are being cut.

Kandahar, Afghanistan
A man injured during a Taliban attack is treated at Mirvays Hospital in Kandahar, on 11 May. The Taliban had threatened revenge attacks after the killing of Osama bin Laden, in Pakistan on 2 May. With four people killed and 36 injured, this was the most serious strike thus far.
The people of Afghanistan have had to deal with conflict and military occupation for much of the past 50 years. Conflict and long-term instability in Afghanistan have led to personal trauma, and severe economic and infrastructural damage. Foreign aid has helped support various initiatives to improve infrastructure and education, but as occupation forces withdraw and Western economies face their own difficulties, funds to NGOs are being cut.

Getty Images

Kandahar, Afghanistan
A man injured during a Taliban attack is treated at Mirvays Hospital in Kandahar, on 11 May. The Taliban had threatened revenge attacks after the killing of Osama bin Laden, in Pakistan on 2 May. With four people killed and 36 injured, this was the most serious strike thus far.
The people of Afghanistan have had to deal with conflict and military occupation for much of the past 50 years. Conflict and long-term instability in Afghanistan have led to personal trauma, and severe economic and infrastructural damage. Foreign aid has helped support various initiatives to improve infrastructure and education, but as occupation forces withdraw and Western economies face their own difficulties, funds to NGOs are being cut.

Kabul, Afghanistan
A student passes the ruins of Darul Aman Palace, built in the 1920s as part of the then king’s program of modernization of Kabul. Many such ruined houses are used by children as playgrounds, or as gathering spots for drug addicts.
The people of Afghanistan have had to deal with conflict and military occupation for much of the past 50 years. Conflict and long-term instability in Afghanistan have led to personal trauma, and severe economic and infrastructural damage. Foreign aid has helped support various initiatives to improve infrastructure and education, but as occupation forces withdraw and Western economies face their own difficulties, funds to NGOs are being cut.

Getty Images

Kabul, Afghanistan
A student passes the ruins of Darul Aman Palace, built in the 1920s as part of the then king’s program of modernization of Kabul. Many such ruined houses are used by children as playgrounds, or as gathering spots for drug addicts.
The people of Afghanistan have had to deal with conflict and military occupation for much of the past 50 years. Conflict and long-term instability in Afghanistan have led to personal trauma, and severe economic and infrastructural damage. Foreign aid has helped support various initiatives to improve infrastructure and education, but as occupation forces withdraw and Western economies face their own difficulties, funds to NGOs are being cut.

Kandahar, Afghanistan
Workers learn how to embroider and make clothes for dolls, at a workshop in Kandahar run by an NGO that aims to help local women empower themselves.
The people of Afghanistan have had to deal with conflict and military occupation for much of the past 50 years. Conflict and long-term instability in Afghanistan have led to personal trauma, and severe economic and infrastructural damage. Foreign aid has helped support various initiatives to improve infrastructure and education, but as occupation forces withdraw and Western economies face their own difficulties, funds to NGOs are being cut.

Getty Images

Kandahar, Afghanistan
Workers learn how to embroider and make clothes for dolls, at a workshop in Kandahar run by an NGO that aims to help local women empower themselves.
The people of Afghanistan have had to deal with conflict and military occupation for much of the past 50 years. Conflict and long-term instability in Afghanistan have led to personal trauma, and severe economic and infrastructural damage. Foreign aid has helped support various initiatives to improve infrastructure and education, but as occupation forces withdraw and Western economies face their own difficulties, funds to NGOs are being cut.

Badakhshan, Afghanistan
A man puffs opium smoke into the face of an infant in northern Afghanistan. In some areas parents do this to help children to sleep, but the children end up addicted.
The people of Afghanistan have had to deal with conflict and military occupation for much of the past 50 years. Conflict and long-term instability in Afghanistan have led to personal trauma, and severe economic and infrastructural damage. Foreign aid has helped support various initiatives to improve infrastructure and education, but as occupation forces withdraw and Western economies face their own difficulties, funds to NGOs are being cut.

Getty Images

Badakhshan, Afghanistan
A man puffs opium smoke into the face of an infant in northern Afghanistan. In some areas parents do this to help children to sleep, but the children end up addicted.
The people of Afghanistan have had to deal with conflict and military occupation for much of the past 50 years. Conflict and long-term instability in Afghanistan have led to personal trauma, and severe economic and infrastructural damage. Foreign aid has helped support various initiatives to improve infrastructure and education, but as occupation forces withdraw and Western economies face their own difficulties, funds to NGOs are being cut.

Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan
Afghan singer Farhad Darya performs at a concert restricted to women. Under the Taliban, listening even to recorded music was forbidden.
The people of Afghanistan have had to deal with conflict and military occupation for much of the past 50 years. Conflict and long-term instability in Afghanistan have led to personal trauma, and severe economic and infrastructural damage. Foreign aid has helped support various initiatives to improve infrastructure and education, but as occupation forces withdraw and Western economies face their own difficulties, funds to NGOs are being cut.

Getty Images

Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan
Afghan singer Farhad Darya performs at a concert restricted to women. Under the Taliban, listening even to recorded music was forbidden.
The people of Afghanistan have had to deal with conflict and military occupation for much of the past 50 years. Conflict and long-term instability in Afghanistan have led to personal trauma, and severe economic and infrastructural damage. Foreign aid has helped support various initiatives to improve infrastructure and education, but as occupation forces withdraw and Western economies face their own difficulties, funds to NGOs are being cut.

Kabul, Afghanistan
Mina (6) and a friend play with her brother’s artificial hand, in the ruins of the Darul Aman Palace in Kabul. Mina’s brother has lost both hands.
The people of Afghanistan have had to deal with conflict and military occupation for much of the past 50 years. Conflict and long-term instability in Afghanistan have led to personal trauma, and severe economic and infrastructural damage. Foreign aid has helped support various initiatives to improve infrastructure and education, but as occupation forces withdraw and Western economies face their own difficulties, funds to NGOs are being cut.

Getty Images

Kabul, Afghanistan
Mina (6) and a friend play with her brother’s artificial hand, in the ruins of the Darul Aman Palace in Kabul. Mina’s brother has lost both hands.
The people of Afghanistan have had to deal with conflict and military occupation for much of the past 50 years. Conflict and long-term instability in Afghanistan have led to personal trauma, and severe economic and infrastructural damage. Foreign aid has helped support various initiatives to improve infrastructure and education, but as occupation forces withdraw and Western economies face their own difficulties, funds to NGOs are being cut.

Panjshir, Afghanistan
A man gathers in the harvest beside the ruins of a tank, in the Panjshir valley, north of the capital Kabul.
The people of Afghanistan have had to deal with conflict and military occupation for much of the past 50 years. Conflict and long-term instability in Afghanistan have led to personal trauma, and severe economic and infrastructural damage. Foreign aid has helped support various initiatives to improve infrastructure and education, but as occupation forces withdraw and Western economies face their own difficulties, funds to NGOs are being cut.

Getty Images

Panjshir, Afghanistan
A man gathers in the harvest beside the ruins of a tank, in the Panjshir valley, north of the capital Kabul.
The people of Afghanistan have had to deal with conflict and military occupation for much of the past 50 years. Conflict and long-term instability in Afghanistan have led to personal trauma, and severe economic and infrastructural damage. Foreign aid has helped support various initiatives to improve infrastructure and education, but as occupation forces withdraw and Western economies face their own difficulties, funds to NGOs are being cut.

Kabul, Afghanistan
A bodybuilder rests on the grass near the tournament venue after a competition. Sports such as bodybuilding were banned under the Taliban. Today, it is one of the country’s most popular sports.
The people of Afghanistan have had to deal with conflict and military occupation for much of the past 50 years. Conflict and long-term instability in Afghanistan have led to personal trauma, and severe economic and infrastructural damage. Foreign aid has helped support various initiatives to improve infrastructure and education, but as occupation forces withdraw and Western economies face their own difficulties, funds to NGOs are being cut.

Getty Images

Kabul, Afghanistan
A bodybuilder rests on the grass near the tournament venue after a competition. Sports such as bodybuilding were banned under the Taliban. Today, it is one of the country’s most popular sports.
The people of Afghanistan have had to deal with conflict and military occupation for much of the past 50 years. Conflict and long-term instability in Afghanistan have led to personal trauma, and severe economic and infrastructural damage. Foreign aid has helped support various initiatives to improve infrastructure and education, but as occupation forces withdraw and Western economies face their own difficulties, funds to NGOs are being cut.

Herat, Afghanistan
A child is punished at a religious school in Herat. Many children leave school early to go to work.
The people of Afghanistan have had to deal with conflict and military occupation for much of the past 50 years. Conflict and long-term instability in Afghanistan have led to personal trauma, and severe economic and infrastructural damage. Foreign aid has helped support various initiatives to improve infrastructure and education, but as occupation forces withdraw and Western economies face their own difficulties, funds to NGOs are being cut.

Getty Images

Herat, Afghanistan
A child is punished at a religious school in Herat. Many children leave school early to go to work.
The people of Afghanistan have had to deal with conflict and military occupation for much of the past 50 years. Conflict and long-term instability in Afghanistan have led to personal trauma, and severe economic and infrastructural damage. Foreign aid has helped support various initiatives to improve infrastructure and education, but as occupation forces withdraw and Western economies face their own difficulties, funds to NGOs are being cut.

Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan
Afghan National Army soldiers make enemy contact in northern Afghanistan.
The people of Afghanistan have had to deal with conflict and military occupation for much of the past 50 years. NATO forces have been in conflict with the Taliban in Afghanistan since 2001, and are scheduled to withdraw in 2014, handing over to the Afghan National Army. Conflict and long-term instability in Afghanistan have led to personal trauma, and severe economic and infrastructural damage. Foreign aid has helped support various initiatives to improve infrastructure and education, but as occupation forces withdraw and Western economies face their own difficulties, funds to NGOs are being cut.

Getty Images

Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan
Afghan National Army soldiers make enemy contact in northern Afghanistan.
The people of Afghanistan have had to deal with conflict and military occupation for much of the past 50 years. NATO forces have been in conflict with the Taliban in Afghanistan since 2001, and are scheduled to withdraw in 2014, handing over to the Afghan National Army. Conflict and long-term instability in Afghanistan have led to personal trauma, and severe economic and infrastructural damage. Foreign aid has helped support various initiatives to improve infrastructure and education, but as occupation forces withdraw and Western economies face their own difficulties, funds to NGOs are being cut.

Life in War

Contemporary Issues, second prize stories

Herat, Afghanistan

Zahra (20) set fire to herself four years before this photo was taken.

Forced marriage, domestic violence, poverty, and lack of access to education are said to be among leading reasons for self-immolation. Conservative laws and traditions in Afghanistan place women in a subordinate position. Some women find that setting themselves alight—as a form of protest, or in attempted suicide—is the only option that seems open to them.

The people of Afghanistan have had to deal with conflict and military occupation for much of the past 50 years. Conflict and long-term instability in Afghanistan have led to personal trauma, and severe economic and infrastructural damage. Foreign aid has helped support various initiatives to improve infrastructure and education, but as occupation forces withdraw and Western economies face their own difficulties, funds to NGOs are being cut.

Majid Saeedi

Recommended

About the photographer

Majid Saeedi

Majid Saeedi is an award-winning, internationally recognized Iranian photographer. He has photographed throughout the Middle East for the past two decades, focusing on humanitarian issues, with a special interest in telling previously untold stories of social injustice. He also especially enjoys doing street photography – portraying citizens and ordinary life.

Saeedi was born and raised in Tehran. He took up photography at the age of 16 and, when he turned 18, went to the Iran-Iraq border to photograph refugees there.

Saeedi has managed the photography departments of various news agencies in Iran and has led key projects for over 15 years. His work has appeared internationally, in such publications as The Times, Spiegel, Life, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Washington Times, Time magazine, and various Middle Eastern publications and for online agencies. His recent work includes images of Libyan people fighting for democracy, and landmine victims in Afghanistan.

Saeedi has won numerous prizes for his photographs around the world, most recently the 2012 R.F. Kennedy Award, a Lucie Award in 2011, for his work in Afghanistan, a UNICEF award in 2010, and the Gold Award from China in 2011. For the past eight years, he has received the annual accolade of best photographer in Iran. When he is not working, Saeedi likes to teach photography to students and mentor young photographers.

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